Shane Pekny

Flatwater Free Press

In less than a year since starting, the Flatwater Free Press has raised significant funding and is set to double its staff size, amassed a board of Nebraska royalty and built and converted a newsletter audience and has been republished by national outlets and regularly across the state.

A former journalist with 20 years of experience writing grants, Shane is described in his nomination letter as “the secret sauce that makes Flatwater Free Press go. He is the Oz behind the curtain for every fundraising drive; the adult in the room for every business decision. He is the reason for our fundraising success with large foundations and recurring donors. He is the visionary behind our unique content mix.”

Honorable Mentions:

• Azia Wiggins, Deputy Editor of Voices and Systemic Reporting, Mississippi Free Press
• Yukari Iwatani Kane, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Prison Journalism Project